Question about weight training.?

Question

I am 5ft1 (almost) and pretty strong. I have always done light weight training on the side. Nothing serious. My main consintration has always been Cardio. I feel like I have lost muscle tone over time. What is an approprate amout of weight to work out with that will not make me bulky? I can press 200lbs with my legs but is that too much? I can press 100 with my arms(on the machine chest presses) but I wonder if I am going to end up looking like a man. So any advice as to what I can lift and press to help with nice tone but not bulk me up would be appreciated...to shy to ask the guys at the gym...

Answer 1

As long as you can do 25-30 reps, then its fine, if not, lower the weight so you can.

Answer 2

Don't worry about looking like a man. Most women don't have the amount of muscle we do to even develop that 'look'.  Just go easy and do what's comfortable for you.  Worry more about your technique and make sure the weight level allows you to do the workouts properly and allows you to do several reps.  It won't hurt to push yourself.  Just worry about staying fit and healthy and the rest will come no worries.

Answer 3

If you are trying to just "tone" you do not want to do heavy weight.  You will want to do a mid weight a lot of reps.  An example of this is your arm press, Im guessing bench press, is 100 pounds.  You should do about 50 pounds 3 set with 15 reps.  You want to do more reps and less weight!  You should not be maxing out, light weight and reps is the key- good luck

Answer 4

its good that u are weight training.. and u are quite strong!

no need to worry about getting bulky....

just train with reps of 10 - 12

do plenty of cardio to have lean muscles

eat good amounts of protein, and not too many carbs

u are not going to get bulky...